Southern Highlands
Southern Highlands
Two hours from Sydney, the Southern Highlands bring together Georgian villages, cool-climate vineyards, forests and events like Tulip Time.
The Southern Highlands form a rural region in southern New South Wales, perched on the Great Dividing Range plateau, between Sydney and Canberra. It brings together well-preserved Georgian villages, eucalyptus forests, over sixty wine estates and a cool climate that contrasts with the coast. It's one of the most popular weekend escapes for Sydneysiders.
Why visit the Southern Highlands?
The region lends itself to a short stay combining heritage, gastronomy and nature. The centre is organised around Bowral, Mittagong and Berrima, and extends to around twenty villages. A few concrete reasons:
- Well-preserved colonial heritage, particularly in Berrima, a Georgian village from the first half of the 19th century.
- A cool-climate wine scene, with around fifteen cellar doors open to the public.
- Walking trails and a wildlife corridor home to platypuses, koalas, echidnas and kangaroos.
- Events embedded in the calendar, such as Bowral's Tulip Time or Bundanoon's Scottish Brigadoon festival.
- Accessibility from Sydney by direct train, no car required.
History and heritage
The Highlands are the ancestral territory of the Dharawal and Gundungurra peoples. The first European explorers arrived in 1798, and colonisation was organised in the early 19th century around villages such as Bowral, Berrima and Mittagong, staging posts on the route between Sydney and the south of the colony.
19th-century economy was based on forges, quarries, shale mining and malthouses. Traces of these activities still remain at Joadja, a former mining village, and on Mount Gibraltar. Two local figures stand out: P. L. Travers, who imagined Mary Poppins in Bowral, and Charlotte Atkinson, a pioneer of girls' education in Berrima. The region subsequently shifted towards an agricultural and tourism economy, without losing its network of small villages.
What to see and do
Berrima and its heritage walk
Berrima is one of Australia's best-preserved Georgian ensembles. The heritage circuit is done on foot in one to two hours and passes the Surveyor General Inn, considered one of the country's oldest pubs still in operation, as well as the former courthouse and gaol.
The Bradman Museum in Bowral
In Bowral, the Bradman Museum traces the career of Sir Donald Bradman, a batsman considered the greatest in cricket history, and places this sport within Australian culture. The visit is worthwhile even without prior knowledge of the game.
The wine route
The region has over sixty wine estates and around fifteen cellar doors open to the public, specialising in cool-climate wines (chardonnay, pinot noir, riesling). Cellar doors concentrate around Sutton Forest, Moss Vale and Berrima.
Illawarra Fly and the canopy
South-east of the region, Illawarra Fly offers suspended walkways and zip lines above the canopy of a rainforest. The site is suitable for families and casual walkers.
Wildlife and nature
The Great Western Wildlife Corridor allows you to observe platypuses, koalas, echidnas and kangaroos, particularly at sunrise and sunset. Several operators offer guided outings. Mount Gibraltar and state forests around Bundanoon, Wingello and Penrose offer walking trails and mountain bike tracks.
Antique dealers and shops
Bowral concentrates the best-known outlets, including Dirty Janes and Grandpa's Shed, two landmarks for antique furniture and collectibles. Neighbouring villages add artisan galleries and cafés.
Tulip Time and Brigadoon
In the Australian spring (September-October), Tulip Time installs over 100,000 tulips in Bowral's Corbett Gardens. In April, the Brigadoon festival celebrates Bundanoon's Scottish heritage with bagpipes, Highland games and clan parades.
Villages to explore
Beyond Bowral, Mittagong and Berrima, several villages are worth a detour depending on your interests:
- Burrawang, Robertson, Exeter: cottages, country cafés and pastures.
- Sutton Forest: wine estates and charming accommodation.
- Joadja: former shale mining village, guided tours and distillery.
- Balmoral, Wingello, Penrose: gateways to state forests.
- Kangaroo Valley: historic bridge, river suitable for kayaking, dramatic valley landscapes.
Practical information
Allow two to three days for a first visit, longer if you want to combine wineries, walks and Kangaroo Valley. Most activities are open year-round, with extended hours during peak season (spring, school holidays). Prices for cellar doors, museums and adventure activities remain moderate.
Accommodation ranges from rural B&Bs to self-contained cottages and boutique hotels, with a concentration around Bowral and Berrima. Book in advance during Tulip Time, Brigadoon and long weekends.
When to visit
The region can be visited year-round, but each season offers a different experience:
- Spring (September-November): flowers, Tulip Time, mild temperatures.
- Summer (December-February): warm days, sometimes stormy, but cooler than the coast.
- Autumn (March-May): colours of imported European deciduous trees, vintage, Brigadoon festival in April.
- Winter (June-August): cool countryside atmosphere, fireplaces in pubs, ideal for wine lovers and leisurely walkers.
How to get there
By car
The Highlands are approximately 1.5 to 2 hours south of Sydney and about 2 hours north of Canberra. From Sydney, take the M7 then the M5/Hume Highway to Mittagong (exit 11). From Canberra, the Hume Highway provides access to Moss Vale, Berrima or Mittagong exits.
By train
NSW Trainlink trains connect Sydney Central daily to Mittagong, Bowral, Moss Vale and Bundanoon. Allow approximately two hours depending on the stop. It's the simplest option without a car, particularly for exploring on foot around Bowral.
By bus
NSW Trainlink Coach services complement the rail network and serve villages not accessible by train. On site, a hire car remains useful for wineries and out-of-the-way villages.
Nearby attractions to explore
The Southern Highlands combine well with other stops departing from Sydney:
- The Blue Mountains, another mid-mountain getaway, west of Sydney.
- Darling Harbour for an urban stop before or after your rural stay.
- The Australian Museum, useful for contextualising the region's Aboriginal and natural history.
- Barangaroo Reserve, for a coastal contrast within Sydney itself.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
A two-night weekend allows you to see Bowral, Berrima and one or two wineries. Three to four days are better if you want to add Kangaroo Valley, Illawarra Fly and walks in state forests.
Yes for Bowral and Mittagong, well served by NSW Trainlink trains from Sydney Central. For wineries and villages like Burrawang or Kangaroo Valley, a hire car or organised tour is necessary.
The festival takes place each year in the Australian spring, usually between late September and early October, in Bowral's Corbett Gardens. Exact dates are published by the organisers in early year.
Yes. Illawarra Fly, the Bradman Museum, wildlife viewing outings and kayaking at Kangaroo Valley work well with school-age children.
The Blue Mountains focus on cliff-edge landscapes and rainforest hiking. The Southern Highlands offer a more rural experience, centred on villages, wine and Georgian heritage, with gentler nature.
Planning the rest of your trip
To integrate the Southern Highlands into a wider itinerary between Sydney, Canberra and the coast, check out our circuit ideas on Australie.
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